AIM-listed Malvern International, the global learning and skills development partner, has announced a £2m fundraise through a share issue.

The corporate team at regional law firm Knights supported Malvern International on its successful fundraising, comprising a placing, retail offer and, potentially, a directors subscription.

Malvern International will deploy this funding to help scale up four pathway contracts recently won with the universities of Wolverhampton, Cumbria and Liverpool, and a new 15-year contract with London Metropolitan University.

Karen Proctor, corporate Partner at Knights in Manchester, said: “We are delighted to have helped our long-standing client access further funding for this promising next phase of growth via its listing on AIM.

“Hopefully, this marks the start of an anticipated uptick in secondary placings and other capital market fundraises this year, as the simplified regime has removed the need for an FCA-approved prospectus for many more raises.

“The new rules also allow for easier participation of retail investors, so we expect to see more companies including their retail shareholder base in capital fundraises as Malvern has done here.

“The board at Malvern, as well as the team at Zeus Capital, who are nominated advisers and brokers to the company, have been highly supportive throughout the process, and we look forward to continuing work with them again in future.”